iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Galaxy Z Fold 4 Detailed Comparison, which to buy?

In this review, we will take a look at the battle of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max. Foldable smartphones have not yet surpassed conventional ones in popularity, but now they are available from many popular brands. This raises the question for many users: what to prefer — a traditional device or a foldable smartphone?

These phones were introduced in 2022 and became the most expensive for their respective manufacturers. Comparing them will not be easy, as they are very different models and are designed for different types of users. Nevertheless, we will go through all the technical aspects of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max and determine the advantages of each.

Specs

Design Differences

The models are different in every aspect, and they cannot be confused under any circumstances. This is clear: the iPhone offers a classic form factor, while the Galaxy presents the still not very widespread but interesting foldable Phone Design.  

There is a slight distinction in the body materials in the Z Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max . The first uses aluminum in the frame, while the latter employs titanium. This decision helps reduce the weight for the Fold. However, the phone still weighs 23 grams more than the 14 Pro Max, and it is also twice as thick as the Apple device when in the folded state. When unfolded, the Samsung becomes slightly thinner than the iPhone.

Each of the gadgets is available in four colors. For the 14 Pro, these are relatively standard black, silver, gold, and a new violet color released at the time. Samsung is sold in black, sage green, beige, and burgundy. The latter is particularly attractive but falls under exclusive colors, requiring placing an order on the company's website to obtain such a phone.

Who won in this battle of the Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max? It depends solely on consumer preferences. Samsung's design is very interesting, but many are concerned about the fold on the screen, which, although not very noticeable, still exists.

Display and Performance

In the comparison of the screens of the Galaxy Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max, there are quite a few differences, if only in terms of their quantity.

The iPhone is equipped with a 6.7-inch OLED with display resolution of 2796×1290 pixels and 460ppi. An innovation in this series is the introduction of the dynamic island and an always-on display. The dynamic island is a genuine innovation, replacing the notch that used to consume half of the screen and can also be used for communication with the phone. The Always-On feature may not surprise Android phone enthusiasts, as it has been present not only on Samsung phones but also on various Chinese smartphones for quite some time.

Moving on to the more interesting comparison of the Samsung Z Fold vs iPhone 14 Pro Max. The Galaxy offers us not one but two screens, and that's precisely where all the excitement lies. The external display has a diagonal of 6.2 inches and can be used for all regular tasks, just like on any other phone. The main screen is revealed when you open the phone, and it is truly impressive - with a diagonal of 7.6 inches, it's almost like having a tablet. Of course, on such a panel, you can use multitasking mode, draw, play games more comfortably, or enjoy your favorite movies. Both screens feature AMOLED display technology.

The refresh rate on both devices is 120 Hz. On the iPhone, and on the main screen of the Fold, it is adaptive, meaning it can change to reduce power consumption when there are no demanding tasks.

When comparing the processors of the Samsung Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max, there is not much sense in looking at performance testing. Each of the chips installed in them was the best at the time, both have approximately similar processor capabilities, providing high speed to the phones. One notable difference is that Samsung has twice the amount of RAM — 12 GB compared to 6 GB.

Samsung Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max Camera Capabilities

On paper, the Camera Quality in the Samsung Z Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max looks very similar. Both gadgets have three sensors that differ slightly in the number of megapixels. The difference here depends on the software processing, and in this regard, Cupertino has something to offer. For example, the iPhone has a cinema mode that can blur the background in videos, as well as active stabilization for shooting dynamic clips.

On the other hand, the Fold is capable of shooting 8K video, but it's not necessarily a significant advantage. For most users, 4K is sufficient, and it takes up less space in the gallery. As for the front cameras, Samsung has two — an external 10 MP and an internal under-display 4 MP, while the iPhone has one 12 MP front camera.

Software and Additional Features

In the battle, Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max , it's very challenging to compare phones in terms of Software Features. They run completely different operating systems, providing a different User Experience. However, these differences are precisely what can be discussed.

The Fold Z4 runs on an Android version adapted for larger screens, and it has several User Interface advantages over Apple. For instance, it features an almost full-fledged taskbar, akin to that on PCs, making it easy to switch between applications. Additionally, multitasking is fully realized, allowing for the complete utilization of the enlarged screen. You can simultaneously open up to 4 applications and comfortably use them. This capability is not present in the iPhone, and the screen sizes don't imply such possibilities.

As additional features, it is worth noting the presence of a fingerprint scanner in the Fold, in addition to biometric security. The 14 Pro Max has only Face ID, but the feature is implemented excellently, and so far, no one has surpassed it. 

Nevertheless, in this comparison of Samsung Fold vs iPhone 14 Pro Max, the Fold looks more interesting than its competitor.

Battery Life and Charging

The Galaxy has a slightly larger battery capacity, but, tech reviews indicate that the phone lags behind its competitor in key parameters.

Comparison of battery life Samsung Galaxy Z Fold vs iPhone 14 Pro Max:

• Browsing: 15 hours vs. 9.5 hours in favor of iPhone 14 Pro Max.
• Video: 13.5 hours vs. 21 hours, again in favor of the iPhone.
• Gaming: 4.5 hours vs. 7 hours, with Apple being better again.
• Standby time: 101 hours vs. 156 hours.

Yes, the large screen and the presence of a second screen negatively affect the phone's power consumption. 

However, the Fold 4 has its advantages. These include fast charging speeds (25W vs. 20W) and wireless charging (11W vs. 7.5W). While the phones charge at a similar rate in about half an hour, the total charging time differs significantly — 1 hour and 20 minutes for Samsung and 1 hour and 50 minutes for Apple.

Galaxy Z Fold4 vs iPhone 14 Pro Max: Price Comparison and Availability

The foldable phone is very interesting and offers several additional features compared to the flagship Apple device, but its main distinction is still the price. It significantly exceeds the cost of the competitor. The gadget was introduced at $1800, while the Pro Max was priced starting from $1100.

Currently, these two gadgets are no longer available on the official manufacturer's websites, but you can find them in online stores. Of course, the average check will be lower than the initial cost, but there is still a noticeable difference between them.

If the price is not a concern for you, and the market trends and form factor of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 seem interesting, then it's worth buying this smartphone. However, if you are a classic enthusiast, then consider the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It's quite an interesting comparison Galaxy Z Fold vs iPhone 14 Pro Max, where there is no clear winner.